Debate, Decide, Determine, Deliberate

When I was very young and in the early years of my schooling, I was taught about weights and measures. We were taught about pounds and ounces (16 ounces in a pound) and feet, inches and yards (12 inches in a foot) and all that. I learned it well enough, but I remember being surprised that it was so complicated! Then, when I was in high school, I was introduced to the Metric System that worked in very clear and logical units and relationships - a decimal system where weights, measures, volumes and so forth were simply related to each other (1 litre of water has a mass of 1 kilogram at standard temperature and pressure, and the main units worked in thousands like grammes, milligrammes and kilogrammes). This gives a good example of a process of change in which there was discussion about the benefits of each system of weights and measures, and the benefit of fitting in with the International System of Units (SI). After debating the pros and cons of the options of remaining in the Imperial System or converting to the Metric System, a decision was made and there was a determination to set all things in order to use the new system, and I felt a relief or liberty from the complexity of the Imperial System following the deliberation in the use of the simpler Metric System. I continue to be amazed that the United Kingdom and the United States of America, leaders in the global stage, continue to hold to their ties to the complex Imperial System. I have known some older people in South Africa who would continue to calculate things in the Imperial System and then translate them to the Metric System in order to calculate weights or measures.

This brings me to my thoughts on four words and their parts in the process of change: Debate; Decide; Determine; and Deliberate.

De- as a prefix

The prefix de- means 'from, down, away, reverse, opposite', but I think that with each of the four words in the title, it indicates a choice between alternatives, perhaps 'opposite'. Let us look at the other uses of the root of each word. 

Using a search of Google Dictionary, it is interesting to note the possible root meanings of these words.

Debate looks at opposing arguments, and 'bate' seems to come from an angry mood, perhaps torment, or argument, 'debate' being derived from Latin, meaning 'the opposite of fighting'. The root word 'bate' might also be in 'probate' (from Latin for 'to test or to prove') and 'rebate' (derived from Anglo-Norman French meaning 'beat back').

Decide is attributed to the Latin 'off' and 'cut' or 'determine' and means 'to bring to a settlement'.  Although this is the only prefix used for 'cide', the root word seems to be in 'decisive', 'decision', and thence 'incisive' (cut into), 'precise' or 'precision' (relating to quality), all relating to choosing, making me think of the knowledge of good and evil, and our challenge to decide to choose good.

Determine seems to be related to inner quality as in 'firmness or purpose', by which one goes about 'establishing something exactly by calculation or research'. The root word relates to absoluteness such as 'determinate' that infers 'exact and discernible limits or form'; 'exterminate' that is final and total 'destroy completely or kill'. I also am struck by 'termination' relating to a destination or end-point, and my thoughts about 'determine' relate to acting on the decision to reach an end goal - with determination.

Deliberate relates to slow, measured, careful and conscious well-thought-through choice. Liberate is not used with any other prefixes, but I find it interesting to think of the Saviour's teaching that 'ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (John 8:32).

I thought of another word, but this does not seem to be a prefix, although it does relate to these four words and to what I am trying to convey in this blog - 'Divine'. If we use the process for ourselves whereby we debate (study something out in our minds), decide (discern good and choose to choose the good), determine (act on the decision), deliberate (reach the freedom that results from the former steps), we will achieve a divine nature. We will be fruitful branches on the true vine, divine in nature (see John 15:1-8).

The process of changes leading to liberation

I can think of some times in my life when I have sought to change something in order to achieve a better outcome. I recall a decision that I made years ago that was a blessing to me. 

A healthy choice - walking rather than driving

I worked at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre for its first 25 years. I took a decision during that time to park down the hill and walk about 500m each way to the office rather than driving. I debated with myself the pros and cons. Driving increased my carbon footprint; increased the wear and tear on the car due to added distance and speedbumps; it did not save significant amounts of time (it was simply the difference between walking 500m and driving 500m, and if I needed to attend meetings down the hill it took more time to use the car than simply the time of travel); the only advantage to driving might be in inclement weather - and I then had the option to walk or drive as opposed to many colleagues who used the bus and did not have the option to drive. The advantages of walking were in terms of reducing carbon footprint; added health; fresh air; enjoyment of watching the sunrise or sunset; watching the wildlife and enjoying the natural vegetation; noticing natural things that I would miss if driving; I would not be competing for parking spaces at KRC; I could park in the shade; getting to converse with others who were walking; and I had several other ideas that came to me as I walked that added to the list of pros and cons. I then decided to walk as the norm and driving would be the exception. I determined to arrange things so that there would be fewer disadvantages arising from my decision. I was then deliberate in following through with my commitment and I enjoyed the liberating experience of walking. I walked many kilometres, through forest, fynbos, nature, fresh air, sunrise, seeing insects, lizards, frogs, beautiful little flowers and several things that I would have missed if I had followed the practices of most of my colleagues. I truly rejoice in the decision that I made and the benefits of sticking to my commitment made to myself.

As I was thinking about this deliberate process of choice, I was struck by thoughts shared by Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Thomas S, Monson in October 2013, and Gordon B. Hinckley as I listened to talks referred to in the Come, Follow Me study of the week (and sometimes talks from the same General Conference following those cited talks). My testimony of the importance of studying out in our minds, then asking the creator of all things, the King of Heaven, He who has all knowledge, wisdom, power, if the thing be right. As we debate to consider the alternatives, decide to discern between good and error, or sometimes good and better, determine to follow a course, we will enjoy the liberation that comes from removing the burdens or bonds of doubt, fear, anger, hate, envy, and any number of negative things and replace them with the opposites of those negative things.

I am grateful for all that I have learned in this process. I still have a long way to be excellent in applying the recipe, but my experiments thus far have confirmed to me that it is good to enjoy the liberty that comes to us as we come to know the truth, and when the truth makes us free.

Sources

Enchanted Learning. Prefixes and Suffixes - Enchanted Learning. Accessed 20 Dec 2020.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf. 2013. You Can Do It Now! (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Thomas S. Monson. 2013. True Shepherds (churchofjesuschrist.org)